3.12.23 Huddle
Opening Discussion
- What’s your favorite fiction book and why?
Read and Discuss
Luke 16:19-24 CSB
19 “There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day. 20 But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was lying at his gate. 21 He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side. 24 ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’
- What was the rich man’s life like when he was alive?
- What was the poor man’s life like when he was alive?
- This is the only parable where Jesus gives someone in the parable a name. Why do you think He names Lazarus in this parable?
- In verse 24, the rich man asks for Lazarus by name, showing that the rich man knew him in life, yet did nothing about it. What should the rich man have done during his life with his wealth?
- How could the rich man have shown mercy with his wealth?
- What’s a way you can show mercy with your wealth?
- What one thing can you do this week to take a step towards that?
Luke 16:25-31
25 “‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.’
27 “‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I beg you to send him to my father’s house—28 because I have five brothers—to warn them, so that they won’t also come to this place of torment.’
29 “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said. ‘But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “But he told him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’”
- What reasons does Abraham give for not being able to comfort the rich man?
- Why does the rich man think that Moses and the prophets are sufficient enough to turn his brothers from their selfish ways?
- How can living a comfortable life with all your needs met be a dangerous thing?
- What is interesting about Abraham’s response to sending someone back from the dead?
- Why might people not repent even after seeing someone come back from the dead?
John 12:9-11 (This is the account of what the Pharisees wanted to do with a real person named Lazarus who was raised from the dead by Jesus)
9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also, 11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.
- Why would the Pharisees want to kill Lazarus?
- Why didn’t people believe in Jesus after seeing Him in the flesh after He came back to life?
- The rich man’s reasoning for sending someone from the dead in verse 30 is that he wants his brothers to repent. What made you repent from your sins?
- Why do you think people resist repentance?
- What is something in your life that you need to repent of? (If you don’t want to answer out loud, that’s okay)
- Who is someone you can confide in this week about that thing?
Memorize it!
Luke 16:25 “‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.
Prayer TACOS
Thank God for giving us the chance to repent and change from our selfish ways.
Adoration- Worship the Lord for His mercy
Confess to the times you have not been merciful with the wealth He has given you
Others- Pray that the Lord would put someone in your life this week that you can show mercy to with your wealth
Self- Ask the Lord to make you more merciful with the way you live
Closing Thoughts
When I drive past certain neighborhoods and look at the houses, the cars, and the families, I often think, “What would make those people think they need Jesus?” They have everything they want. They’ve achieved success by the world’s standards. And now they should go to church and give their hard earned money to the Lord? It seems absurd.
But I fall into the same thinking. “Why should I give my stuff away? Those people on the street holding signs should go get a job. Everyone’s hiring these days. They are just lazy.”
I don’t ask them about it. I just judge them and make assumptions. This parable from today is not easy. It once again shows us how wealth can deceive us, make us comfortable, and then in the end, take everything away. We are not merciful to those in need. Well, maybe you are, but I, more than I’d like to admit, am not. Start asking the Lord for ways that you can show mercy to those around you. Not just with money, but with your life. Ask, listen, and watch. He will show you the way. And when you mess up, ask for forgiveness, and look for opportunities the next day. After all, His mercies are new every morning.